Hands on

None of them are good enough to play out of position in a diamond but collectively they can defend. Shez is I suppose is looking for a way to score more goals but this clearly weakened our defence. As boring as not conceding is the way we played on Saturday was just as bad with the floated long ball.

It is daft to talk about offloading players. These players worked well together but that was not in a midfield diamond. The optimistic bubble was burst by the diamond

The reason for the diamond, which isolated Banks in midfield, is the idea that Davies and Holloway (the non striking forwards of last season) can form a productive partnership up front. My pre-season optimism was dented when given a 'must score' situation normal non striking was resumed by Davies with a well directed but powder puff pass to their goal keeper. The dent was made a hole when the 'offside' goal was scored and we continued with plan A to no avail. So the good form with essentially these players, Wilson was a good deputy for Ripley in the match, has been jettisoned because the 3 5 2 (the 2 being a 1 1) will not work with Davies and Holloway (Holloway had a poor game because he was pushed wide by Davies inclusion so he didn't give us the battling hold up play of last year). I wouldn't have substituted Banks. I would have changed at half time to the 3 5 2 removing either Holloway/Davies for Fawns to play as number 10 behind the lone 'striker', with Banks, Green and Fane in midfield with Ryan on the right and Hunt on the left. I would also have removed Brian Wilson or Gerrard (probably the latter) and put either Stott or Edmundson in the back 3. The final change would have been Duffus for Holloway/Davies if the half time changes didn't produce a goal. My hope for tomorrow is that we win. My second hope is that the diamond is deployed with Holloway Davies up front and we get ripped to shreds in the hope that Burton do to us what Arsenal did for Chelsea.

Ah well I did think the boss knew what he was doing, wheels within wheels, but after Saturday I have to be persuaded again. 14 nee 17 would not have made the difference Saturday.

Shez went for experience and experience let him and us down. However Fane should be central. Ryan is not a number 10 having done his best work for us on the wing. Green has played wide before but it doesn't suit him going forward. Hunt was where he should be but Clarke/Gerrard/Wilson should not play together either Gerrard or Wilson replaced by Stott or Edmundson. Davies and Holloway get in each others way and that pushed Holloway wide. Duffus is not the same as them he is much sharper and more aware looking for space and a return ball. Fawns could develop into a number 10 but it doesn't look like he will get the game time. The players we have suit 3 5 2 better. We all saw this last season so why start with a 4 4 2 diamond. The Chelsea 3 4 3 could work but the whole team would have to attack and defend rather than leaving three up field.

Lets not hide behind the offside goal, their keeper handling outside the box and their defender handling on the line. Forget the three fluffed chances. There were three things wrong today - the tactics, the players selected and the shape. I do not want to watch long ball float it forward football. What a load of rubbish.

But you can't have an emergency loan unless and until you have a goalkeeper. Yay we now qualify for an emergency loan if Ben is unavailable due to suspension, injury or international call-up. However if he gets injured or sent off in the first half I don't think it can be arranged at half time so unless there is a surprise coming there is a risk being taken. I hope there is another 'Taylor' hidden in our squad.

Well on the positive he was the better keeper on Tuesday and did appear to be part of our team rather than another hopeful. The six months is probably because everyone knows, I hope, that we are looking, or is waiting the right word, for an even better keeper. I hope he plays well and makes dropping him a difficult decision.

14 hours to go. By the end of summer - I thought summer has already ended.

And we have to sign a keeper for Saturday.

Since refusing to sign a new contract Boro have decided to try and get some money for him now rather than pay him for a year and see him go on a free. The problem now is that everyone would prefer a loan so Boro might crack and send him to the team who offers to pay the largest proportion of his wages. Can't see that being us.

Two 4 4 2s last night but I hope he goes 3 4 3… Clarke, Gerrard and either Stott or Edmundson Dummigan, Fane, Green (I know he will play Banks) and Hunt McLaughlin, Holloway and Davies planing to bring on Duffas of Fawns second half. With Dummigan/McLaughlin and Hunt/Davies moving forward and back as we attack and defend.

Well that was OK but we do seem to have a front two who are both more comfortable with their backs to the goal and prefer to pass rather than shoot. First half goalkeeper had the confidence of the team. Second half goalkeeper didn't have anyones confidence. 14 nee 17 I don't want to see again. 12 nee 18 was better but I think he would be more of the same. Banks forgot himself and nearly made a tackle. Jay needs to fill out. Cracking header. The Fs seem to have it. Fane has improved and should start every game. Fawns looks rather good - awareness, quick passing and a great shot.

14 nee 17 went very quiet after he let the side down with poor defensive awareness leading to the only goal of the match. That it seems is his problem other than the obvious which is that league one opponents will bully him out of the game. Not big enough not strong enough and doesn't know when to pass the ball. We have as was demonstrated last night a much better player in Mason Fawns.

The only number one that we can realistically wait for until Friday is the talented one. If there is someone else coming surely he must play tonight even if he wears a mask to conceal his identity. Our back four and cover must be as good as any in this division but without a decent keeper all that is worth nothing. It is possible that with only one year on his contract Ripley is playing the field and has not accepted a contract extension if one has been muted or offered. Boro might be reluctant to send him out on loan and into the shop window unless and until he signs an extension which means they might want to sell now him against his wishes if it is true he wants to stay at Boro. Cat and mouse.

There was something wrong with them last night. I don't remember them being so bright and the flickering in front of the RRE a fault. They were doing something to them in front of me during second half.

An interesting choice of opponent given the obvious disconnect between the trialist purporting to be a goalkeeper and our defence. However an enjoyable game. No doubt the gaffer likes Banks but I can't get over his unwillingness to tackle. Fawns despite his inexperience appears a much better option. Fane was the player I hoped he would become. Duffus looks like the real deal. Whereas Amadi-Holloway and Davies still look unlikely to score the goals we need to reach the top six - they work hard but Duffus has something. 18 didn't do well whereas 17 did inject some pace and skill but I can't see him starting games if we signed him. What we need is every penny of available money spent on goalkeepers.

Neither. Erwin is surplus to requirements in the position he wants to play in. Baxter is damaged goods.

I rather like the idea that "Football matches are not the place for politics, religion or anything else other than enjoying the beautiful game." when nothing could be further from the truth.

A squad so far without a single loan player!

You only get a new card if you either change seats or it is a new season ticket ie not a renewal. PS New kit is fabulous.

Well now I am confused because I was told to keep my card but have renewed in a different, the old fogey, category. I'll find out today as I'm buying the new kit.

Given that his two goals are more than our two 'strikers' managed between them last season it has to be a welcome signing.

Not clear to me why we would want anyone that has been released by a league one club that failed to get promoted or reach the play offs.

Me thinks he has already gone in his own mind. The drum is a problem for some in a shit hole like AFC Wimbledon - rather loud in such a small enclosed space. There was a solution however. Do as I did and move to the open terrace towards the corner. Then what I heard were the droppings from the mice like home crowd against the fantastic noisy rousing support from 793, sorry 792 after he left, fans.